TURBOTVILLE – It was a historic night for the Warrior Run football programs on many levels.
The game marked the first time the Warrior Run football program had hosted a playoff game in the 61 years of the program’s existence.
By the end of the night, Warrior Run would also win its first ever playoff game in school history when the No.4 seeded Defenders knocked off visiting No.5 Lewisburg by a final score of 28-7 in District 4 Class 3A quarterfinals.
The win advances the Defenders to the semifinals where the team will travel to No.1 seeded Montoursville, winners over Shamokin by a final score of 42-0 Friday night.
The playoff home game and playoff victory weren’t the only historic moments of the night, as senior wide receiver Riley Daubert was able to set a pair of school records in the win. Daubert entered the game needing 47 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns to break a school record held by Warrior Run graduate Justin Brouse since he graduated in 2006.
Daubert ended up catching four passes for 148 yards and a pair of scores in the victory, running his career stats up to 1,868 receiving yards and 19 receiving touchdowns with at least one more game to add on.
“Ever since my freshman year we’ve had something to prove,” said Daubert. “Everyone and worked hard and has come together and it has helped us execute.
“He’s bought in, he’s played well and he’s great on both sides of the football,” added Warrior Run coach Chris Long of his record-breaking receiver.
It feels good to break the record(s), but I don’t care as much about that as getting a playoff win. I think we shocked a lot of people and it feels really good.”
Warrior Run seemed to control the game from the start. Lewisburg opened up the game with possession of the ball, but quickly lost it eight plays into the drive when Warrior Run was able to force a strip sack on Lewisburg quarterback Nick Shedleski.
The Defenders put the first points on the scoreboard on their second drive of the game. After a shanked punt by the Green Dragons, Warrior Run took over in plus field position and drove the ball 31 yards on six plays for a touchdown.
Denver Beachel took a snap from the wildcat formation on a third-and-goal play from five yards out and ran it up the middle for the score.
On the team’s very next possession, Warrior Run drove the field again and scored on a controversial 31-yard bomb from quarterback Remington Corderman to wideout Tyler Pick.
Corderman rolled out of the pocket and facing pressure from the Lewisburg defense, lobbed a ball toward the front corner of the endzone to Pick. Both Pick and Lewisburg defender Cam Michaels came down with the ball, and after both wrestled for possession, the ball rolled away, but was called a touchdown on the field.
A failed 2-point conversion attempt put the Defenders up 13-0 in the second quarter.
Lewisburg scored its lone touchdown of the night with time running down in the opening half. With Warrior Run driving in Lewisburg territory, a botched handoff resulted in a Warrior Run fumble. The ball was scooped up by Lewisburg linebacker Ethan Spaulding and taken 65-yards for a defensive touchdown to make it a 13-7 game with 2:20 remaining in the half.
Rather than hang their heads, or simply take care of the ball on one last possession before the half, the Defenders kept their foot on the gas pedal and scored in just over a minute on a 42-yard catch and run by Daubert. This catch broke the school record for receiving yards and tied the school record for touchdown receptions.
In the opening half, the Warrior Run defense quietly held Lewisburg off the scoreboard, but in the second half, the defense made a statement. With the game on the line, Warrior Run allowed the Lewisburg offense to convert just two first downs in the second half to earn the victory.
Warrior Run tacked on an insurance score when Daubert scored his record-breaking touchdown on a 65-yard catch and run late in the third quarter.
“We had the whole community behind us tonight,” said Daubert. “We executed on both sides of the ball. We played lights-out defense and we made big plays all over.”
The Warrior Run defense had five sacks on the night and forced four Lewisburg turnovers.
“The defense played huge,” said Long. “It starts up front with Ahmahd (Keyes) and Pete (Reasner) and Kenny Newman. They are just a force. We got numerous sacks on Shedleski with those guys tonight. It was a great effort by them tonight.”
Warrior Run is now 7-4 in a season where the team completed its first winning season since 2006. The Defenders take on Montoursville next week. Montoursville has lost just one game this season, which was against District 4 powerhouse Southern Columbia.
“The feeling is unbelievable,” said Long. “This is what our goal was at the start of the season. We’ve accomplished it now. I’m just so glad for these guys, especially the seniors. They’ve accomplished something that no other team has ever accomplished.”
Lewisburg’s season comes to an end an a four-game losing streak. The team concludes the season with a 5-6 overall record.
Warrior Run 28, Lewisburg 7
SCORE BY QUARTERS
Lewisburg 0 7 0 0 — 7
Warrior Run 7 14 7 0 — 28
First Quarter
WR—Denver Beachel 5-yard run (Logan Witmer PAT), 3:34.
Second Quarter
WR—Tyler Pick 31-yard reception from Remington Corderman (2pt. conversion No Good), 7:30.
L—Ethan Spaulding 65-yard fumble return (Ben Liscum PAT), 2:20.
WR—Riley Daubert 42-yard reception from Corderman (2 pt. conversion Daubert from Corderman), 1:03
Third Quarter
WR—Daubert 65-yard reception from Corderman, (Witmer PAT) 2:50.
TEAM STATISTICS L WR
First downs 8 9
Total yards 144 294
Rushes-yards 33-33 33-85
Yards passing 111 209
Passing (comp.-att.-int.) 10-23-1 8-13-0
Fumbles-lost 4-3 3-2
Penalties-yards 5-55 8-71
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—Warrior Run: Hoyt Bower 11-33, Beachel 14-30 TD, Corderman 2-27, Daubert 1-4, David Gearhart 1-4, TEAM 4-(-13). Lewisburg: Cam Michaels 2-30, Ethan Dominick 11-10, Spaulding 1-4, Gavin Sheriff 1-0, Nick Shedleski 16-(-10), TEAM 2-(-1).
PASSING—Warrior Run: Corderman 8-12 209 yds., 3TD; Beachel 0-1. Lewisburg: Shedleski 10-23 111 yds, INT.
RECEIVING—Warrior Run: Daubert 4-148 2TD, Pick 1-31 TD, Beachel 1-17, Ahmahd Keyes 1-11, Bower 1-2. Lewisburg: Dominick 4-49, Jack Landis 2-28, Spaulding 3-23, Simeon Beiler 1-11
